VASCO: Citizens from the twin constituencies of Mormugao and Vasco, under the banner of ‘Yes For Development,’ on Saturday, expressed solidarity with the state government over the Baina beach beautification and completion of the remaining portion of the four-lane highway.

They urged the government to go ahead with the projects, which would provide a boost to tourism and as consequence to the economy of the port town.

A large number of residents protested the interference of Karnataka legislators and some Goan politicians, who are backing the hutment dwellers.

Speaker after speaker, while addressing the gathering, termed the hutments as a threat to the state and nation as once terrorist Yasin Bhatkal had taken shelter there.

“The hutments at Baina coast have been a threat to the lives of the people in Goa as once terrorist Bhatkal had taken shelter there,” said Santosh Khorjuvenkar.

He said that the occupants of the hutments are unsafe and there is always the fear of the hutments getting washed away during the monsoon.

A social worker Umesh Salgaonkar said that the politicians should not make politics of vote in protecting the hutments which are standing at Baina coast in violation of the CRZ norms.

“Both Baina beach beautification and the construction of the remaining portion of the four lane highway are of utmost importance in providing a boost to the economy of the port town,” said Salgaonkar.

Dr Baban Parulekar and former Mormugao Planning and Development Authority chairman Krishna Salkar praised the former chief minister Manohar Parrikar for his bold decision in removing the infamous sex cubicles at Baina, which was been a blot on the state’s image.

Councillor Shekhar Khadapkar said that Baina beach beautification is the need of the hour.

“The future of Vasco will dependent on the Baina beach as the tourism activities at the beach will be provided a big boost,” said Khadapkar.

MMC chairperson Lavina D’Souza also extended her support for Baina beach beautification and four-lane highway connectivity.

She appealed to the state government to protect the interest of the fishermen, as fishing is their only livelihood.

Dr Manoj Kamat urged the people to support the agitation launched by the citizens under the banner of ‘Yes For Development’ in order to bring back the past glory to the Baina beach.

Convenor of ‘Yes For Development’ Jayant Jadhav read out the list of various development projects planned for Mormugao constituency.

“Baina beach beautification and completion of the four-lane highway are the two most important projects for Mormugao, which would help boost tourism and development in the taluka,” said Jadhav.

“We will support constructive politics,” he said and opined that the tourism activities at the Baina beach could only help revive the dying economy of the port town.

The others who spoke included Peter Araujo, Andrew Pereira and Prakash Naik. The meeting was jointly compered by Santosh Khorjuvenkar and Jayant Jadhav.